CHARLES DICKENS DOMBEY AND SON CHAPTER I Dombey and ...

fixing his eyes on his wife, as if for inspiration in a high flight, 'may
the torch of Hymen be the beacon of joy, and may the flowers we have this
day strewed in their path, be the--the banishers of--of gloom!'
Doctor Blimber, who had a taste of metaphor, was pleased with this, and
said, 'Very good, Toots! Very well said, indeed, Toots!' and nodded his head
and patted his hands. Mr. Feeder made in reply, a comic speech chequered
with sentiment. Mr. Alfred Feeder, M.A., was afterwards very happy on Doctor
and Mrs. Blimber; Mr. Feeder, B.A., scarcely less so, on the gauzy little
bridesmaids. Doctor Blimber then, in a sonorous voice, delivered a few
thoughts in the pastoral style, relative to the rushes among which it was
the intention of himself and Mrs. Blimber to dwell, and the bee that would
hum around their cot. Shortly after which, as the Doctor's eyes were
twinkling in a remarkable manner, and his son-in-law had already observed
that time was made for slaves, and had inquired whether Mrs. Toots sang, the
discreet Mrs. Blimber dissolved the sitting, and sent Cornelia away, very
cool and comfortable, in a postchaise, with the man of her heart.
Mr. and Mrs. Toots withdrew to the Bedford (Mrs. Toots had been there before
in old times, under her maiden name of Nipper), and there found a letter,
which it took Mr. Toots such an enormous time to read, that Mrs. Toots was
frightened.
'My dear Susan,' said Mr. Toots, 'fright is worse than exertion. Pray be
calm!'
'Who is it from?' asked Mrs. Toots.
'Why, my love,' said Mr. Toots, 'it's from Captain Gills. Do not excite
yourself. Walters and Miss Dombey are expected home!'
'My dear,' said Mrs. Toots, raising herself quickly from the sofa, very
pale, 'don't try to deceive me, for it's no use, they're come home--I see it
plainly in your face!'
'She's a most extraordinary woman!' exclaimed Mr. Toots, in rapturous